Puppy Meeting: AKC Dog Agility Trials

Its been at least a couple of years, since I've physically went to an Agility Trial, so when my A/C sent out a note, that they were going to hold a meeting their this weekend, I was rarin' to go!

I also wanted to take Texas with me, because I knew it would be a great exposure for him with all the people and other dogs!!

Saturday was a beautiful day, and I had a lot of things to get done....but my mom had other plans; so i spent most of my morning cleaning. (Only three more days till i'm outta here! jk Mom I love you :D )
Once that was done, I started to freak a little bit, about how Texas would act in such a high stress environment...would he walk on the leash, would I be wrangling him the whole time...etc..etc..
So we went outside, to practice some leash work and obedience while I downloaded files from school..... before I knew it was time to go; but as I was backing out of the driveway...Bubbles comes trotting out of the door, and towards the car...not ABOUT to be left behind.
So she came along as well!

I stopped by Sonics, but since they are the worlds SLOWEST fast food restaurant, I hand 15 minutes to make a 25 minute drive...but I made it, and was the first of our group to arrive!!
I did have to make sure I was calm an assertive; because I was not feeling in control, but I decided not to focus on what COULD happen, and just take things as they came at me.

And the afternoon progressed very well! SAM and Ross we're the only two pups that could make it (Penny's in Heat, and Neil is being evaluated) but Neil's raisers came as well.

The border collies we're the best, with the Golden's coming in surprisingly next! In the small dog ring, most of them we're looking at their owner's like they we're stupid, but it was funny! I'm sure Texas would have a blast out there, if given the opportunity!

My former A/C was there with her vizla Faith, and we got to watch them run! It was awesome, she didn't get anything, but it was neat to see someone we "knew" run a dog! She also had her miniature dachshund Angel there, who ran earlier, so we missed that. :(

We left after Faith ran, and Texas flopped down and slept the entire trip home.

Now I have been bitten by the agility bug, and yes we're looking into Texas as an agility dog!!

About Turn Ins {by Erin}

Since Midnight dropped the bomb shell in her post, I will go ahead and fill you guys in on the nitty, gritty, details. Basically Midnight's time with me is drawing to a close, even though she hasn't been with me a full year. Midnight is being looked at to become a breeder, but since she has developed allergies, they (the higher powers at GDF), are trying to decide if that's what they want to use her for.If they decide to use her, she will be leaving me within the next couple of weeks.If they don't she will go next month.And if they take her out of the program completely; theM she'll just stay forever and ever. :-))
I'm going through the normal range of emotions right now...more so because Midnight and I have a really strong bond, and this turn in couldn't come at a worse point in my life. I'd LOVE to keep her as a pet if given the chance, but I am trying not to get my hopes up that they will take her out of the program. I know that sounds selfish but for right now...I'm sorry that's just how I feel... on the other hand I do feel bad KEEPING her knowing how she could impact someones life. ANYWAYS....Have no fear, I will be raising another guide dog puppy regardless if she goes or stays; but since we are moving to another state, it won't be until March or April. And for someone who hasn't been without a dog for the last two years...these next six months are going to be TOUGH. But as a dear (non-dog person) family member has stated so callously...I'll survive.

For those of you who aren't familiar with what Formal Training is...here is an explanation from the Foundation itself:

WHEN YOUR PUPPY WILL BE CALLED IN
Your puppy may be called in anytime between 12 and 16 months of age. You will receive a call from the Puppy Department telling you the date that your puppy needs to report. The age at which your puppy is brought in is determined by the Puppy Department.
When you bring your dog in, bring with you a copy of your puppy’s veterinary record, its puppy coat, crate, and heartworm medication. Once your puppy is here, he will be kept in a certain area of the kennel for the first week or so to be observed. Your pup will have free time daily, as well as the companionship of a roommate and the attention of our loving staff. Foundation kennel volunteers also will spend quality, one-on-one time with your dog.
During the first few weeks, your puppy is examined by our staff veterinarian for routine treatments and a heartworm test. Its health history is reviewed and monitored closely by our staff of professionals.

THE TRAINING PROGRAM
Your puppy will be assigned to a team of trainers. The team will consist of an apprentice (who has started the three-year apprenticeship program); a trainer (who has completed half of the training program); or an Instructor (who has completed the program and is qualified.) Apprentices and trainers are always supervised by an Instructor, and they work closely together.
Each training staff member has a string of dogs, usually 8-10. The trainers work in a team so that they can learn the personalities of their dogs. This enables the training staff to have a good selection of dogs to match with the needs and personality of each student.

Phase I is the foundation on which the other three phases build. All of the material from Phase I is reinforced and new material is added as the dog progresses through training. All of the training phases may vary in length depending on the dog and the trainer.
In Phases I and II, the training is started in quiet areas and slowly progresses to busier areas as the dogs become more competent at their work and comfortable with their given constraints. The first two phases can be described as the conditioning period.
By the time a dog enters Phases III and IV, they are guiding with some consistency and are able to apply their previous conditioning in varying situations. During these final phases, the dogs are brought into more complicated training areas, such as the city. Instructors are still conditioning the dogs, but are expecting a higher level of performance. By the end of Phase IV, most dogs should be ready for class and working as guides.
This is a basic outline of the tasks that need to be accomplished within each phase:
Phase I: Long leash walk, reacting well to traffic, people, etc.; noise test for sound shyness; short leash walk along a straight line; obstacle work and curb stops; basic obedience; introduction to dormitory work, including stairs; possible introduction to elevators and escalator
Phase II: Introduction to the harness; obedience and dormitory work continued; straight line concept reinforced; introduction to elevators and escalator
Phase III: City/subway training; traffic training; escalator; off-curbs
Phase IV: Final traffic; blindfold evaluation

CELEBRATION SUNDAY
When your puppy has been matched with a visually impaired student, and the team successfully completes the training program, it is time to celebrate! Your love, dedication and care has enabled this puppy to grow into a confident adult who has demonstrated that he is able to make decisions, has self control and has a low level of distractibility so that a visually impaired person can travel safely and independently.
Many people have worked to successfully match this team: the Guide Dog Foundation staff, including the Breeding, Puppy and Training departments; the Puppy Walker; the dog’s sponsor; and the consumer. All of those people who have nurtured and supported this puppy have given a gift that is priceless.

HOME TRAINING
If your dog is chosen for home training (when the student is trained in their home area and not at our Smithtown campus), you may not have the opportunity to formally meet the blind handler. You still could be in contact with the dog’s new handler, should you wish to.

PUPPY MEETING - OCTOBER 16, 2008

{On our Way}

{SAM and his raiser...also my A/C}

{Penny - Rei's half sister- and her raiser}

{Our group gather togethor}

{Midnight practicing her Down/Stays}

{My Pretty Baby...also the star the class..hee hee}

{Mom can i have that ball?}

{Neil lying down}

{Sue would be the class clown...that is not a negative comment ;-) I may be watching her over Thanksgiving...if its ok with Pops :-)}

{Sue is a pretty Golden}

{"Puppies STAY"}

{"Stttaaayyyy"}

{"Hey you too! Cut it OUt!}

{Oh dear I embarrassed her}

Life and Stuff.. {by Erin and Midnight}

The Proximity Award"We all like blogs. Their objectives are to show the wonders and to make friendships; there are people who are not interested when we give an award, and in this way contribute to cut those bows; we want that they are cut or they propagate? Then we will try to pay more attention to them! We must give it to other bloggers that must do the same and put this text."

Midnight: Cool! Our friend Addie gave us ANOTHER award! Sweet! Thanks so much guys! We'll pass this one on to our friend.....

Erin: These last couple of days, have been pretty uneventful in a sense.. Monday Midnight and I went to Piano Lessons...which she thinks is DEATHLY boring. After that we came home, and walked with our neighbor and her two dogs. By the time we got through with that, It was time for us to head to our monthly obedience class with other guide dog pups. Midnight was her normal obedient self and my leader complemented me on how I was handling one of the more...excitable pups. * Very Cesar Millanish ha ha*

When we got home I decided that my room needed rearranging, and for the next two hours I spent my time, packing up my room and moving boxes around. While navigating around Midnight and Bubbles.

Halfway through Bubbles, who is used to these spurts I go through, got on the couch and curled up under a blanket.


Midnight however...kept getting in the way and I kept tripping over her!

But I did find many of her toys lurking under the furniture! Since then I've placed them in a bucket where she can get to them, and she's taken all of them out and placed them around the floor. Just for me to trip on I think.

I think she's a bit put off my all the rearranging..and moving of her favorite spots..etc.. but she'll survive. :-)

Today was just a plain ol' work day for me...here it is, I work at a doggie daycare..get to bring my dog for free, and what does she do!? SLEEP!!

She climbed in here of her own free will...she likes crates ::big grin::

{ Which one is Midnight? And NO we didn't DRUG any dogs here.. ha ha its the end of the day..they are all tired.}

{Midnight mainly plays with Labs...she and Liza love each other}

Earlier this evening..after swimming through my email, I came across this video that my leader had sent me:

This is the Guide Dog Foundation...:-)
Just seeing this dog working and helping his handler,just reiterated for me why I do what I do. I brings me to tears every time I see something like this, to think "MY" dog could be helping someone just like him!! Yes Its hard to give them up, Giving Midnight up will be one of the hardest things I've ever done... She and I have a bond like no other dog... I love her so much, but to know that she has the potential to make an impact on someones life like this? I can't stop that whatsoever!!!

Ok enough of that ... I need to finish posting SAM's blog for today as well.. so until next time!

Erin & Midnight

The Fair Part II {by Erin}

A new bone I got her distracted Midnight, so I’ll have to tell you all about our second trip to the fair, and our puppy meeting. Do you know how hard it is to translate and type dog? Psshh
Anyways, my sisters and I arrived at the fair, around 4:00PM...since we were having a puppy meeting here, as well I figure, why not go and have some fun first!? So we did! Rode some rides, watched some of the shows and ate fair food!!
We were able watch a Mounted Shooting show, it was pretty good...once the Emcee’s stopped ...jawin’.
JUST AS A NOTE. MIDNIGHT IS A VERY STABLE DOG AND I KNEW SHE WOULD NOT BE CONCERED WITH THE GUNS GOING OFF.
Actually what she really wanted to do is run after the horses....*sigh* By the time this show had ended, it was time for our meeting so we headed up to meet them at the gate. Its still amazing how fast these pups grow!!!

We did a little obedience... we might as well become a show for all the people who stopped to watch! It was interesting....After that we walked through the animals, down through the rides, and such through a couple of tents, and back up through the animals. All of the Dogs did great! Even Mr. Sam, who rode most of the way, got out and walked for a long while!! He was soooo cute.I WANT A GOLDEN. ☹

Once we were finished with the animals, we made sure all the dogs were back to their rightful. Raisers, and most of the group headed home.

Midnight and I, on the other hand, speed walked through the fair, to where I THOUGHT my sisters said they were going to be. They weren’t there...!But I found them, with some more of our friends. After that we were ALL ready to go. And so we did...

*please comment if you stop by..its took a long time to write this, so it would awesome if even just said “hey!”